(CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY) - The Thomas More women's volleyball team is gearing up for its first season as an official full member of NCAA Division II, having been in the NCAA Division II provisional status for the past three years.
Last season, the Saints went 5-10 in conference play and 11-17 overall. However, after Thomas More became an official member of NCAA Division II, the team aims to improve on its records from its provisional years and qualify for the G-MAC conference tournament.
Holly Bronner Stiver heads into her sixth season as head coach and says that she is excited to see how her team has grown since the previous year, as well as what her main goal is for her team this season.
"I only see us going up, and I'm really looking forward to it," said Stiver. "I think that we have a really good chance to start making runs for the conference tournament. I would really love to see us push and win in our division. So that's really where I see us going at the end this year."
If the team makes the conference tournament this season, they would make history as the first women's volleyball team at Thomas More to make the women's volleyball G-MAC tournament. Stiver also named some players that she is eager to get back on the court, including sophomore setter
Audrey Warrick, sophomore right side
Kat Koepke, and senior outside
Emily Acito, who all had strong campaigns last season.
In addition, Stiver named sophomore defensive specialist
Taylor Stivers, who has the opportunity to have a breakout season. Warrick, who had a total of 525 assists and averaged 5.41 assists per set last season, said that she wants to better herself in everything she does on and off the court in the upcoming season.
"I'm always looking to make myself better, whether that's faster, stronger, always looking to better the ball," Warrick said. "I always like to say … I'm never the best version of myself, and I've not peaked yet. I'm always looking to improve, and I still believe that I have so much more space to grow and improve, and I'm looking forward to doing that alongside these girls."
This year's women's volleyball freshmen class includes seven new athletes who are looking to make their mark on the team. The class includes three defensive specialists, two outside hitters, and two setters. Stiver thinks that this group of newcomers will add to the talent that's returning and will improve the team's overall growth.
One of those newcomer setters is freshman setter
Molly Smiddy. Smiddy agrees with her head coach and feels like every player in the gym adds to the team's overall success.
"I feel like everybody has something to offer," said Smiddy. "Everyone has something that I can learn from them."
The Saints look to meet their goals and expectations for the season as they return to action on Friday (September 4) against West Virginia State University. The season opener will be held away at the UIndy Invitational.
